Department for Transport

Roads: Public Consultation

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish the findings of their consultation on Key Route Networks, which ran from 30 July 2021 to 24 September 2021.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: On 2 February 2022, the initial outcome of the consultation was announced in the Levelling Up White Paper, which stated that in Mayoral Combined Authority areas, “the UK Government will provide new powers of direction to increase mayors’ control over Key Route Networks.” In addition to this announcement, it is the Department’s plan to publish a summary of responses and Government response in due course.

Trains: Diesel Engines

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 9 February (HL5871), whether the existing diesel rail fleet will be replaced with new diesel trains when it is retired.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: As mentioned in my previous answer to HL 5871, when existing diesel trains require replacement we will work closely with operators and manufacturers on deploying the most appropriate traction technology. The Government supports the deployment of hydrogen and battery trains to decarbonise the network, as well as further electrification, and we would expect where diesel-only trains are replaced, their replacements combine different power technologies that make the most operational and economic sense.

Home Office

British Nationality

Lord Anderson of Ipswich: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 7 October 2020 (HL8400), how many orders have been made under section 40(4A) of the British Nationality Act 1981, depriving a person of citizenship in circumstances where that person is rendered stateless; and when the next review of that power under section 40B of the British Nationality Act will be commissioned.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The power to deprive an individual of British citizenship under section 40(4A) of the British Nationality Act 1981 has not been used since its introduction in July 2014. As circumstances have not changed since the first statutory review of the power was published in April 2016, a further review of the power will be undertaken within 12 months of the power first being used.

Ministry of Defence

Russia: Ukraine

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the long term security implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; and what amendments they assess are required to the UK's defence posture and capabilities as a consequence.

Baroness Goldie: Through his reckless actions, President Putin has severely damaged Russia's international reputation for many years to come. The UK's defence posture, deployments, and capabilities will continue to evolve, building on the work already set out in the 2021 Integrated Review. Alongside Allies and partners, we will ensure that we meet the challenges posed by President Putin.

Department of Health and Social Care

Dental Services

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Healthwatch England reportWhat people have told us about NHS dentistry, published on 20 December; what assessment they have made of the particular finding thatonly two per cent of NHS dental practices in Gloucestershire are accepting new adult patients, while those in (1) Dorset, (2) Devon, (3) Cornwall, and (4) the Isles of Scilly, are accepting none at all; and what steps they are taking to encourage more dentists to accept NHS patients.

Lord Kamall: The Department has considered the report, which reflects that National Health Service dentistry continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. NHS England and NHS Improvement have set increasing thresholds for activity in NHS contracts, supporting increases in access whilst maintaining compliance with infection prevention and control measures.We have provided an additional £50 million for NHS dental services in 2021/22 to ensure access for more people, including children and vulnerable patients. Local commissioning teams have also been reminded of the importance of updated information on additional practice sessions for NHS 111 to direct patients as required.Since September 2021, there are an additional 24 urgent dental care appointments each week in Gloucestershire. In the South West, NHS England are working with Bristol and Peninsula Dental schools as part of the South West Dental Reform programme to address the challenges facing NHS dentistry in the region. The programme is looking at innovative ways to attract dental staff and increase access.

Medical Records: Data Protection

Baroness Cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Bethell on 8 June 2021 (HL Deb, col 1319–20), what improvements they have made to the process for patients opting out of their health data being used for research and planning; and how each patient can see where data about them is used.

Lord Kamall: In July 2021, we committed that the General Practice Data for Planning and Research programme will not access patient data until the following criteria has been met:- the ability to delete data if patients choose to opt-out of sharing their data with NHS Digital, even if this is after their data has been uploaded;- the backlog of opt-outs has been fully cleared;- a trusted research environment has been developed and implemented by NHS Digital; and- patients have been made more aware of the scheme through a campaign of engagement and communication.NHS Digital is redesigning the programme with input from stakeholders to take account of these commitments and professional, public and stakeholder feedback. Data collection will begin when the National Data Guardian, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association are satisfied with the proposed arrangements. As part of our data strategy, we will engage on how the opt-out system works in practice, with the aim of making the process simpler and more transparent.Patients can view how data is used through NHS Digital’s data release register. This shows monthly information on who data has been shared with, which data has been shared and for what specific purpose.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits ofintroducing Tomosynthesis to digital mammography in order to improve the accuracy of breast screening.

Lord Kamall: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is aware of the Prospects trial involving 100,000 women to assess whether tomosynthesis could supplement the routine breast screening programme. The UK NSC will review the results of the research as soon as it is available. Tomosynthesis has been approved for use in the National Health Service breast screening programme as an optional tool in the assessment of screen detected soft tissue breast abnormalities, following the primary screen. In the meantime, digital mammography is offered as the primary screen for the programme offering high quality images.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of using breast density measurement software to identify women with dense breast tissue, in order to prioritise those women for breast cancer screening.

Lord Kamall: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is aware that breast density is related to risk although further evidence is required before it may be used confidently to stratify women. Significant new evidence will be reviewed when available. In 2019, the UK NSC reviewed density, where it recommended that additional screening with ultrasound after a negative mammography screening in women with dense breasts should not be introduced. Based on the evidence, breast density measurements are not yet robust enough and there is no ‘gold standard’ to validate breast density measurements.

NHS: Dental Services

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Kamall on 23 February (HL6197),why they do not centrally hold information on the number of dental practices providing National Health Service dentistry.

Lord Kamall: Data is collated in the form of contracts for National Health Services. Whilst this is approximately equivalent to the number of practices providing NHS services, there will be individual practices or businesses which may hold more than one contract for different or additional services.

NHS: Coronavirus

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of excluding NHS staff who have acquired natural immunity following COVID-19 infection from mandatory vaccination requirements.

Lord Kamall: Prior COVID-19 infection is not included as an appropriate exemption from the vaccination regulations. However, following the continued success of the vaccination programme, the Government announced on 31 January 2022 that vaccination will no longer be a condition of deployment for health and social care staff, subject to a public consultation and parliamentary approval.

Hospitals: Repairs and Maintenance

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require hospitals to implement special redirection units by their entrances to reroute patients who might not need urgent treatment.

Lord Kamall: We have no plans to do so. A number of streaming and redirection models are used by National Health Service trusts, which are determined locally to suit the needs of their community. These are supported by nationally led initiatives such as streaming and redirection tools at the entrances to emergency departments. The urgent care self-service tool is a kiosk-based service for patients who arrive at accident and emergency departments and urgent care settings with no pre-booked arrival time, directing them to the most appropriate care. Further support is given through NHS 111, which can facilitate direct booking through to emergency departments, urgent treatment centres, pharmacists and primary care.

Protective Clothing: Procurement

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a modern slavery statement covering their procurement of personal protective equipment since January 2020.

Lord Kamall: A statement on modern slavery in the procurement of personal protective equipment is expected to be published by NHS Supply Chain in autumn 2022.

Older People

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to appoint a Commissioner for Older People for England; and if so, when such plans will be published.

Lord Kamall: We have no plans to do so. The Government is focusing on reforming and improving public services to support older people to live safe, independent and fulfilling lives.